Hudson National - Why no love on this site?

[Jim Franklin]

A friend sent me their recently produced video and the course looks pretty good. It looks firm and fast (which is what most here like), but this course generally gets no love. I understand it is in an area with A LOT of competition. I am playing there Friday and look forward to it.

[Paul Jones]

Jim,

I haven't played it yet, but it is probably the company that it keeps.  I have been fortunate enough to play some of the greats on Long Island: Shinny, NGLA, Maidstone, Friar's Head, Garden City, Piping Rock, Bethpage, etc...  There are still others I want to play, including Hudson Natl.

How would you rank it compared to the others?  I have always heard great things about the course and my next trip it will be on the my list along with Deepdale.

There is a member on this site that hosted a GCA day, I signed up for the trip, but work got in the way.

[Brad Tufts]

I played it in 2010 or so and really liked it.

I agree it may be the company it keeps.  The course is in great shape, there are great views, some history, etc.

A few clunker holes that seemed to be a product of the more severe parts of the site, but I think its one of Fazio's better efforts.

[Dustin Ferrell]

I've played it a few times and generally enjoyed the whole experience.  Would agree that there are a couple awkward holes and some parts of the property are probably not ideal for a golf course, but the views are magnificent and the conditioning was excellent when I played.  Also, on a non course related point, had one of the best meals I've ever had there one night for dinner.  The course is very good, but wouldn't call it great, but the experience overall is fantastic.  The back tees are pretty tough too from what i recall.

[Bill Brightly]

It is a beautiful course, a great setting, and usually in fantastic shape. It is really hard. My biggest criticism is the "razor cut" steep bunker faces which can create some unplayable ball positions. For example, one of my approach irons came up a little short, bounced off the front bunker face and came to rest a foot or so in front of the back bunker face. The two foot high wall was so steep that I had no swing and I had to play out sideways. No recovery was possible. I guess you could say I deserved a stiff penalty because I hit it in a hazard, but I don't see the fun in that.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Is it easily walkable ?

[Tommy Williamsen]

Jim, I went thinking I wouldn't like the course very much.  I was wrong.  I thought it was excellent.  The terrain is wild and the course matches it.  It  doesn't feel like what we have grown to expect from Fazio, although that could be said a a few other of his courses.  It is a tough walk because of the hills but well worth the time.  Stay for dinner. They have a pretty good chef.

[Pete_Pittock]

It is a beautiful course, a great setting, and usually in fantastic shape. It is really hard. My biggest criticism is the "razor cut" steep bunker faces which can create some unplayable ball positions. For example, one of my approach irons came up a little short, bounced off the front bunker face and came to rest a foot or so in front of the back bunker face. The two foot high wall was so steep that I had no swing and I had to play out sideways. No recovery was possible. I guess you could say I deserved a stiff penalty because I hit it in a hazard, but I don't see the fun in that.

pretty much the same 'penalty' as in a St Andrews pot bunker?

[Sean_A]

It is a beautiful course, a great setting, and usually in fantastic shape. It is really hard. My biggest criticism is the "razor cut" steep bunker faces which can create some unplayable ball positions. For example, one of my approach irons came up a little short, bounced off the front bunker face and came to rest a foot or so in front of the back bunker face. The two foot high wall was so steep that I had no swing and I had to play out sideways. No recovery was possible. I guess you could say I deserved a stiff penalty because I hit it in a hazard, but I don't see the fun in that.

But you see the fun in hitting from sand up a steep 15-20 foot bank ?

Ciao

[Jim Franklin]

Is it easily walkable ?

A little exercise does the body good.

[Bill Brightly]

Pete,

I knew that I was subject to that (fair) comment when I made my post. However, Hudson National and TOC have almost  nothing in common. HN is a prototypical, superbly maintained US parkland course. The challenges presented are far different than a links course. So while I can accept such a lie on TOC, it is harder for me personally to accept such a penalty on a tough parkland course. It is not as if the player is waltzing around an easy course and then hits a loose iron where he shouldn't have...

Sean,

At least with a 15-20 foot high bunker face, I can try to aim it at the green, even if I can't see the green!

[Tom_Doak]

the views are magnificent and the conditioning was excellent when I played.  Also, on a non course related point, had one of the best meals I've ever had there

FYI, the previous two points were not really about the golf course, either.

[V. Kmetz]

ggg